Lee Ashcroft's expression as the teams leave the pitch at the end of the first half says it all

A game that Dunfermline largely dominated saw 2 goals gifted to the opposition - again! - and a failure to win 3 points against the current favourites for relegation. Manager Allan Johnston once again stuck rigidly to his favoured 4-4-2 formation, with injuries to Ben Richards-Everton and Farid El Alagui leading to Ryan Williamson and fit-again Nicky Clark returning to the starting 11, with Lewis Martin moving to central defence. Joe Cardle was fit enough to be listed as a substitute. Dunfermline started the brighter of the teams, and came closest to scoring through a long range chip from Kallum Higginbotham that hit the bar, and a couple of efforts from Nicky Clark. As the half wore on, play became turgid. Pars captain Andy Geggan avoided being completely anonymous by continually mis-passing and giving the ball away. How a player in such poor form - for weeks now - is still in the team and has retained the captaincy is an indictment of the manager's failure to adequately staff his squad with a half-decent replacement. Dumbarton took the lead in the 37th minute, and appropriately for Halloween weekend, it was the result of a horrific piece of defending. Ryan Williamson allowed Robert Thomson to get past him, unchallenged, the ball reaching Joe Thomson who gave Sean Murdoch no chance. This blog does not make scapegoats out of players, but any fair and balanced assessment of Williamson's defensive capabilities would have to conclude that Ryan just does not possess the awareness or basic attributes required of a defender at this level.

Kallum Higginbotham, dejected at the end of the game

Michael Paton was substituted at half time, replaced by Joe Cardle, with Higginbotham moving to the right wing. There was an immediate improvement in the Pars' play, with Cardle providing energy that had been lacking before his introduction. The equaliser came after 50 minutes through a great run down the left wing by Jason Talbot, and his excellent cross found the head Nicky Clark, who scored with ease. Michael Moffat was brought on in place of Gavin Reilly and had an opportunity to give Dunfermline the lead, but connected weakly with an attempt from close range. Higginbotham had 2 shots from distance that flew over and past the goal. With 9 minutes remaining, Dunfermline went 2-1 ahead. Cardle played the ball to Clark, whose shot hit the post and fell to Cardle who scored from 6 yards out. The players and fans celebrated wildly. A minute later, the Pars defence threw away the lead. Williamson failed to cut out a cross, and with the Pars central defenders nowhere to be seen, Jason Talbot was left on the wrong side of Garry Fleming, who was able to get the necessary touch on the ball to divert it into the net.Dunfermline's final chance fell to Nicky Clark, who was played through by a defence-splitting ball from Moffat. Clark's shot from the right side of the box went wide of the post. Dumbarton kept pressing for a winner and went close twice in the final minute. A draw was a fair result but the Dunfermline performance was once again poor. The manager's claim that "we are better than this" is sounding more deluded with each passing week.

Pars starting 11, with marks out of 10:

​All photos by Pars Review.A full match photo gallery will be posted on Sunday.

​Dumbarton were pre-season relegation favourites alonsgide the only other part-time club in the division, Ayr United. While Ayr have started the season in good form, gathering 14 points from 10 games, Dumbarton have struggled, scoring only 9 goals at a rate of less than a goal per game. They have won just 1 game in the League, and have not won since the second League game, when they had what was considered a surprise 1-0 win over Dundee United. The week before, Dumbarton had travelled to East End Park to begin the Championship campaign, and were 4-1 down going into added on time at the end of the game. Dunfermline then conceded 2 penalties, both of which were converted by Mark Docherty to make the final result 4-3, a game that Dunfermline should have won much more comfortably. With the lack of goals mentioned above, Dumbarton's top scorers this season are Mark Docherty and Robert Thomson, with 3 goals each. Thomson also scored in the opening day game against Dunfermline, and is one of 3 ex-Pars in the Dumbarton squad, the other 2 being Gregor Buchanan and Andy Stirling.​Here is the current Championship table:

With just 1 point gathered from 5 away games this season, Allan Johnston has the task of improving that dismal record, and also tightening up a defence that ranks as the second worst of the 42 SPFL clubs this season for League goals conceded. With so many of the goals against being the result of avoidable errors in almost every game this season, Johnston has shuffled the back 4 several times without finding a suitable settled formation. The midfield has also been an area of concern, with 2 central players often being outfought, outclassed and outnumbered by opposition teams, with the regular pairing of Andy Geggan and Rhys McCabe proving inadequate, and Johnston's perseverance with a 4-4-2 formation not helping matters.

Action from the last time the teams met, when Dunfermline won 4-3 at East End Park. Photo: Pars Review

Two new injury problems have surfaced during this week, with both David Hopkirk and Ben Richards-Everton posting pictures on their Instagram pages of their legs in a protective casing. Both players seem to be unavailable and could be for some time. In defence, Richards-Everton's injury could see Lewis Martin move back to central defence, with Ryan Williamson starting at right back. The other option is to have Callum Fordyce alongside Lee Ashcroft in the middle of the back 4, leaving Martin at full back. In midfield, Nat Wedderburn completed 90 minutes against Hibs last weekend.A change in formation to give the team a more solid spine could see Wedderburn play in front of the back 4, as in the line-up graphic below. But such is Johnston's preference for 4-4-2, it is more likely that the central midfield that was over-run against Hibs will start the game against Dumbarton. John Herron will miss the game meaning Geggan and Wedderburn are almost guaranteed to start. Joe Cardle is fit after missing the last 2 games through injury. The injury status of Nicky Clark is not known at the time this preview was written, meaning Gavin Reilly could continue up front in his quest for a second League goal of the season. Other options in forward areas, either as wingers or in a tighter midfield, are Kallum Higginbotham, Paul McMullan and Michael Paton. ​Preferred Pars line-up, with squad numbers, and based on Richards-Everton, Herron and Hopkirk being unavailable, but with Clark available again after missing the game last week:

​Photos by Pars Review.Tomorrow: Game Day image and full match report/opinion, photos and Pars player ratings.

​Before each away game, Pars Review looks at the venue we will be travelling to: its history, with rare photos showing changes to the opposition club's stadium over the years, and how it looks now. On Saturday we travel to the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, home of Dumbarton.Dumbarton moved to their current home in 2000. They had previously played at Boghead Park from 1879 until moving across town 16 years ago. This article will look at both stadiums. Boghead Park had a capacity of 18,000 at its peak, but like many provincial grounds in Scotland, the venue reduced in size over the years. Originally an all-terraced ground, a small main stand seating just 80 people was constructed in 1913. The photos below show crowds making their way into Boghead, with the main stand in the background, and a view of the stand from inside the ground.

This stand remained until 1980 when a 300 seat modern stand was built. It can be seen below towards the centre-left side of the picture.

The ground gradually fell into disrepair and as the above photos show, it was a mixture of different shaped enclosures, and a pitch that was prone to becoming water-logged. The ground was well-named Boghead!By 2000, Boghead was the oldest stadium in Scotland in continuous use (121 years). That year, the move was made to a new but even smaller stadium , in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock. It is one of the most picturesque venues in Scottish football as the following photos show. Set beneath the Rock, and beside Dumbarton Castle, the ground has just one stand, and no terracing. Its capacity of 2020 is the second smallest of all 42 SPFL clubs.

The photo below shows the stadium as viewed from Dumbarton Rock.

Currently named the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium, the venue has had various names in its short history, with the ground's name being for hire, resulting in it being titled the Strathclyde Homes Stadium, the Bet Butler Stadium, and for a 4 month period in 2012 "The Dumbarton Football Stadium sponsored by DL Cameron".This will be the Pars' third visit to this stadium, and it has been 35 years since Dunfermline last lost an away match in Dumbarton.Despite only being in the venue for less than 20 years, Dumbarton have recently announced plans to move to another new stadium in the town. The new venue will have a 4000 capacity and will include increased hospitality, access to and from main roads and potential for community use. Full story: www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-dumbarton-fc-stadium-funded-9087392​More views of the current Dumbarton stadium and its surroundings:

For the first time in his 17 months as Dunfermline Athletic manager, Allan Johnston is coming under sustained criticism over his team's performances, and his own recruitment policy and tactics. After winning League 1 last season in a canter, the Championship was always likely to present a far greater test of the squad's capabilities. Yet after a return of only 7 points from the first quarter of League games, Johnston stated last week that "there is not much of a gap" between the divisions, talking instead about the recurring mistakes that have led to goals being conceded, and not the clear difference in quality of player the team are up against this season.

A series of errors and mistakes have lead directly to goals being conceded, and while the manager is not on the pitch and is relying on his players to prevent needless goals being conceded, part of any manager's role in any workplace is to identify reasons for ongoing errors and to rectify the problem. It is the very fact that mistakes are being made almost on a weekly basis that actually undermines the manager's own weekly post-match repetitive claims that another loss of points was simply due to errors and that the players "are better than that". While Johnston has stated that mistakes must be cut out, there is no evidence of the situation improving. Hibs' second and third goals on Saturday were basic errors, in the same way that the same opposition's two goals in the first quarter meeting were also the result of Dunfermline errors.​Mistakes can also be the result of a player's deficiencies being exposed, unlike last season when the standard of opposition was not nearly as great, and players were able to hide or get away with aspects of their game that might otherwise have been punished. That was the case last season when Dunfermline faced St Mirren in the Challenge Cup. After routinely scoring 4, 5 and 6 goals each week in League 1, the Pars were defeated 4-0 by the Paisley side, and one of the goals was - significantly - the result of a Ben Richards-Everton error, punished by a better quality of player than he was up against in League 1. The warning signs were there, and just like Jim McIntyre - who kept faith in too many players after winning promotion to the Premier League in 2011 - Johnston retained players such as Richards-Everton, Ryan Williamson, Rhys McCabe, Lewis Spence, David Hopkirk and Michael Moffat, none of whom have been better than distinctly average in this season's Championship (Spence was even sent to League 1 Brechin on loan).

The team's formation has also played into the opposition's hands this season. Johnston rarely deviates from 4-4-2, yet in games including the defeat to Hibs, who had 3 central midfielders to Dunfermline's 2, the Pars midfield were over ran and outplayed, which contributed hugely to Hibs' complete second half domination, controlling possession. The midfield is not helped by the faith that manager has in a woefully out of form Andy Geggan, and the reliance on Rhys McCabe, a situation the manager created by giving the player a new contract in the summer and releasing Josh Falkingham, who kept McCabe out of the team last season. A change in formation is urgently required, simply to make the team harder to beat and not as open. While the tally of 13 League goals scored this season is decent (before Saturday, top of the table Hibs had scored just 1 more League goal than the Pars), the goals against total of 21 is the second worst of Scotland's 42 professional clubs. Dunfermline have been involved in just one goalless draw since January. A more defensively-sound team would comfortably finish mid-table in this season's Championship and provide something to build on for next season. The squad has some players who are more than capable of playing in this division - Sean Murdoch, Joe Cardle, Michael Paton, Kallum Higginbotham, Michael Paton - but a more pragmatic approach is needed and the defence has to be stronger and more alert. This season has now become the manager's biggest challenge, more so than winning the title last season. He has to show that he is able to make necessary changes and make the team harder to beat, and cut out the gifting of goals to the opposition.

Rarely, if ever, have I watched an entire half of a game where Dunfermline were so comprehensively outplayed as in the second period of today's game against Hibs. After a fairly even first half, the Pars were unable to gain any foothold on the game after half time, and yet it took a mistake followed by an own goal, and then a penalty, for visitors Hibs to go ahead and eventually seal the game with a late 3rd goal. The game made for depressing viewing for Pars fans, as the team were not able to complete one simple attacking move in the second half, and after a flurry of substitutions which did nothing to improve matters, we had the sight of Michael Moffat being red carded, a bizarre and most unlikely ending to a terrible Dunfermline performance. Pars manager Allan Johnston brought Ben Richards-Everton and Nat Wedderburn in to the team, replacing Ryan Williamson and Rhys McCabe, while Gavin Reilly also returned, in place of the injured Nicky Clark. The usual 4-4-2 system was in place and in the opening stages, both sides threatended, Michael Paton with an effort for Dunfermline, and James Keatings for Hibs. In the 22nd minute the Pars were awarded a penalty after Lee Ashcroft was pushed in the box. With memories of the 3 spot kicks all saved at the away end of the ground against Dundee United a few weeks ago, Kallum Higginbotham took the kick and confidently sent it past Marciano in the Hibs goal. Farid El Alagui then had a tremendous chance to make it 2-0 but shot tamely from close range. Hibs had a series of free kicks from around 20 yards awarded by referee Alan Muir and from one of them by Fraser Fyvie, Sean Murdoch made a superb finger tip save to save a certain goal.

Kallum Higginbotham, a talented player who had a very disappointing game

The second half began with Hibs attacking the Pars goal, and that set the pattern for almost the full 45 minutes. Dunfermline had 2 corners and one long range blast over the bar by substitute David Hopkirk, and that was it as far as attacking the home end. Hibs had all the possession and only a couple of near misses and another great Murdoch save prevented a goal coming early in the second period. After 55 minutes the equaliser did come, and once again this season, Dunfermline contributed to their own downfall. Higginbotham dithered on the ball then sent a weak pass straight to James Keatings. His shot deflected off Ashcroft's head to give Murdoch no chance. Higginbotham was having a terrible game, constantly giving away possession, while the midfield were non existent. Hibs had wave after wave of attacks and it was from a long ball over the top of the Pars defence that the second goal came. Ashcroft was caught out and pushed Andrew Shinnie, a definite penalty, one which Grant Holt converted with ease to make it 2-1 to Hibs. Johnston made 3 substitutions, firstly bringing on David Hopkirk to replace El Alagui. Hopkirk went to the middle of the attack for less than 60 seconds before Moffat was brought on, replacing Higginbotham, with Hopkirk moving to the left. A strange sequence of events, Hopkirk replacing a striker and Moffat replacing a winger, with Hopkirk's brief time in the middle the result of the manager's muddled thinking. McMullan then replaced Paton, but the long balls that Johnston denies his side ever resort to were being fired aimlessly towards a forward line with no height. Hibs lapped it all up, totally relaxed despite the single goal lead, knowing their hosts posed no threat. The third goal came after Lewis Martin was left behind by Shinnie, whose pass found Brian Graham, the Hibs sub then firing the ball past Murdoch, whose anger towards his defence and Martin in particular being clear, and understandable. Moffat was sent off in the final minute for what looked like a simple foul, which then escalated into a stramash, and referee Muir showing the Pars striker a red card. The second half was a disgraceful performance by a home side that capitulated and showed no heart, fight or any idea of how to put together a half decent attack. Punts up the park to small strikers are a waste of time. Not being able to get the ball, far less string together 3 passes, is an equally big problem for the manager to address.Pars starting 11, with marks out of 10:

​All photos by Pars Review.A full match photo gallery will be posted on Sunday.

Designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/ using photo by Pars Review. The original photo can be seen below. Match report with player ratings and photos will be posted this evening.Full match photo gallery will be posted tomorrow.

Scottish Championship - Saturday 22/10/16 - KO 3.00pm - East End ParkOdds (Skybet): Dunfermline 7/2; Draw 13/5; Hibs 8/11​The second quarter of Championship games begins tomorrow with League leaders Hibs visiting East End Park. Despite having gone 4 League games without a win, Hibs returned to the top of the division last week win a draw against Raith. Top scorer Jason Cummings netted 8 times in the opening 7 games in all competitions this season but has now gone 4 games without a goal. Among the other players that Hibs manager Neil Lennon has to select from include John McGinn, who made his second appearance for Scotland earlier this month in the game against Slovakia, plus Scottish Cup hero and club captain David Gray, who scored the winning goal for Hibs against Rangers last season to win the Cup for the first time since 1902. Midfielder Marvin Bartley will also be available following yesterday's overturning of the red card he received against Raith last Saturday - the second time this season that Bartley has been sent off and then had the decision reversed upon an appeal. Here is the current Championship table:

Dunfermline's total of 7 points from the opening 9 League games has left the team in 8th place, 1 point above the relegation play-off place. A combination of a squad that has too many options in certain areas (wide players) and not enough in others (central midfield) and the poor form of some of last season's regulars - Andy Geggan, Ben Richards Everton and others - means the Pars go into tomorrow's game with hope rather than expectation of recording a home win. Once again, injuries will partly dictate team selection, with Joe Cardle and John Herron definitely missing. Nat Wedderburn played for the Under 20s on Monday evening and at some point must be fit enough to be considered for the first team, although it always seems to be a case of "another week".

Action from the last time the teams met, when Hibs won 2-1 at Easter Road. Photo: Pars Review

Dunfermline will line-up with Sean Murdoch in goal. At right back, Ryan Williamson has struggled for form defensively and as an overlapping full back. Lewis Martin, who has began to form a central defensive partnership with Lee Ashcroft, could be moved to right back, which would then mean Ben Richards-Everton returning to the team alongside Ashcroft. Jason Talbot has been in good form at left back. In midfield, the central duo of Andy Geggan and Rhys McCabe may once again be selected despite being in poor form, simply because there is no one else available - Herron is injured, Lewis Spence is at Brechin on loan, and Nat Wedderburn is unlikely to start. Kallum Higginbotham, who has been played alongside Geggan in the latter part of the past 2 League games, could replace McCabe in the middle of the park, but he is not a natural central midfielder, and with Cardle injured, Higginbotham is more likely to play on the left. Paul McMullan is another option for the left wing. Michael Paton will retain his place on the right midfield, while up front it will be a major surprise if Nicky Clark and Farid El Alagui do not start the game. A change in formation could benefit the team, instead of the rigid 4-4-2 used so often by manager Allan Johnston. ​The line-up below is what I would like to see - a change from 4-4-2, with Higginbotham playing behind the strikers and a more compact midfield. ​Preferred Pars line-up, with squad numbers:

​Photos by Pars Review.Tomorrow: Game Day image and full match report/opinion, photos and Pars player ratings.

With the first quarter of League games now complete, here is a review of the first team squad's performances in the opening 9 games. As always in this blog, there are no "favourites" and also no scapegoats: just an objective view, based on seeing every game so far this season.

David Hutton: In the absence of the injured Sean Murdoch, Hutton came into the side for the opening 6 League games (plus Betfred & Irn Bru Cup games) and showed a weakness for losing goals to long range shots and free kicks. He wasn't helped by the poor defensive displays in front of him. Rating: 5/10

Sean Murdoch: A big loss to the side in the opening weeks of the season. His return from injury did not coincide with any dramatic improvement in defensive performances that some fans seemed to believe would happen. Undoubtedly the best option in goals. Rating: 6/10

Lee Ashcroft: Possibly Allan Johnston's best signing. Very mature for someone just turned 23. Would benefit further from having a reliable central defensive partner. Rating: 7/10

Callum Fordyce: After such a long injury lay-off, Fordyce has struggled to get back to first team level form and fitness. A string of errors that led to goals conceded have seen him drop out of the first team squad and become a regular as an overage player in the Under 20s team. Hopefully he get back to being the player he was prior to his injury. Rating: 4.5/10

Lewis Martin: Has played at right back, left back and centre half and is now getting a run in the team in central defence instead of covering for others. Approaching 100 Pars appearances despite being just 20 years old. Steady, reliable player. Rating: 6/10

Ben Richards-Everton: So far, the Championship seems to be a division too far for Big Ben. The warning signs were there in last season's League Cup game at St Mirren when he had a poor game with one particular error leading to the loss of a goal. A recent calamitous display for the Under 20s did his case for a first team return no good. Rating: 5/10

Jason Talbot: A few weeks ago, his first team future seemed uncertain after losing his place in the team after being red carded due to a reckless challenge. For the past month, he has kept his temper under control and played very well, using his experience to good effect. Rating: 6/10

Ryan Williamson: Caught out defensively several times this season, a combination of poor positioning and inability to actually tackle. Still capable of the occasional gallop up the wing but needs to work on his final ball. His position must be under threat. Rating: 5/10

Joe Cardle: The team's most creative player who had an excellent start to the season. The cutting inside trick hasn't been so effective in this division, and he needs to stop the embarrassing dives in the penalty box that have only resulted in him - correctly - being booked. A very talented player who can produce more. Rating: 6.5/10

Andy Geggan: After scoring 4 goals in the early season Betfred Cup, Geggan's form has nose-dived. Booked 6 times already for fairly needless fouls, the captain is partly still in the team due to the lack of options in central midfield. Rating: 5/10

John Herron: Has made just 2 first team starts, after building up his fitness in the Under 20s since signing on-loan from Blackpool, and then being the victim of a bad tackle in his second game. Herron has impressed in the limited time he has had on the pitch and could be a very important player once he recovers from the injury. Rating: 6/10

Kallum Higginbotham: A player with huge talent and a maverick ability to excite the fans, his good early season performances have tailed off and he has more often been used as a sub or as cover for injured players. Ideally suited to a "number 10" role that the manager's strict 4-4-2 formation does not accommodate, Higginbotham has much more to offer than what we are currently seeing. Rating: 5.5/10

Rhys McCabe: The decision to give him a contract despite the release of Josh Falkingham, a player who kept McCabe out of the team last season, has proven to be a mistake, based on McCabe's run of disappointing displays. The manager has put a lot of faith in the player but it has not paid off. Rating: 4/10

Paul McMullan: In contrast to the team's central midfielders, who have featured regularly almost by default, McMullan has been the victim of being one of 4 wingers, an area of the squad that is top-heavy. After waiting for his chance, and after some good performances, he was benched despite having played well. Rating: 6/10

Michael Paton: One of the most skillful players at the club. Deservedly a regular in the team, and has made a full recovery from an early season absence following a hernia operation. He makes up for lack of pace with very good close control and the ability to turn and leave defenders behind through skill. Rating: 6.5/10

Lewis Spence: On loan at Brechin after being unable to break into an under-performing central midfield. If the player is deemed surplus to requirements in the weakest area of the team, questions have to be asked about why he was given a new contract. Rating: 5/10 (due to his form at Brechin).

Nat Wedderburn: Ongoing injury problems have restricted Wedderburn's impact after signing in the summer. His displays in the Under 20s have not been overly impressive but if he can get fit and stay fit, he may yet have a role as a defensive midfielder in the first team. Rating: 4.5/10

Nicky Clark: After a difficult few weeks at Bury, the son of Pars assistant boss Sandy Clark returned to Scotland to sign for the Pars last month. With 3 goals already, he has made a good start to his Dunfermline career and should flourish playing alongside Farid El Alagui. Rating: 6.5/10

Farid El Alagui: Clearly a quality player and now seemingly over the injuries that he has suffered in the past 2 years. With 4 goals from 1 start and 5 sub appearances, and contracted until January, he must be secured on a longer deal soon before other clubs show any interest. Rating: 7/10

David Hopkirk: Capable of playing up front or on the left, Hopkirk was - surprisingly - given a 2 year contract in the summer despite being purely a squad player last season. A series of minor injuries have restricted his appearances this season, but he is fit again and possibly best used as an impact sub. Rating: 5/10

Michael Moffat: A very popular player who is technically a very good footballer, but as a striker lacks the killer instinct required at Championship level. At this stage of his career he will not be satisfied with occasional sub appearances, and a return to a League 1 club could be the best option for him. Rating: 5/10

Gavin Reilly: After initially appearing to be a great on-loan signing from Hearts, Reilly has sadly not fulfilled the hopes of the Pars management. Reilly has not impacted on games, scoring just 1 League goal, and was dropped from the starting 11 for the first time last weekend. Rating: 4.5/10

​Join the Moff as he travels through time and space in the PARDIS, journeying through different dimensions and strange lands such as Cowdenbeath and Airdrie.

5 November 1983, Scottish Second Division:Montrose 0, Dunfermline 1Today, the PARDIS has taken the Moff back to 1983 and a Second Division match at Links Park, Montrose.This was the 13th League match of the season, and Dunfermline had recently sacked manager Tom Forsyth. Relegated from the First Division the season before, the Pars were promotion favourites but had struggled in the opening months of season 1983/84, leading to Forsyth's dismissal. The Dunfermline board decided to promote from within, and the manager's job was given to the club's 29 year old reserve team coach - Jim Leishman.

Dunfermline travelled north to Angus with only 3 wins from the opening 12 League games. The Pars team included stalwarts and future club legends Hugh Whyte, Norrie McCathie, Steve Morrison (pictured, right) and Grant Jenkins, but Leishman had much work to do, with the club part-time, home attendances dwindling and a team in poor form, who had taken just 1 point from their previous 3 games against Arbroath, Queen's Park and East Stirling. For his first game in charge, Leishman made 2 changes to the team who had drawn against East Stirling at East End Park the week before, Paul Donnelly and Gavin Tait replacing Graeme Black and Stephen Simpson.Montrose were struggling in the division and it was Dunfermline who took the game to the home side. Leishman's energy and enthusiasm on the touchline seemed to drive the team forward, a complete contrast from the dour Forsyth era. The only goal of the game came in the 37th minute from Steve Morrison. The team kept their first clean sheet since the start of the previous month to secure the victory. Despite this encouraging start under Leishman, Dunfermline would win only 1 of the following 11 League games, before 4 wins in 5 games towards the end of the season gave hope for a brighter future. Leishman's record in 1983/84 was: won 10, drawn 7, lost 11. The Pars finished 9th in the 14-team division. Opponents Montrose finished 11th.The following season (1984/85) the Pars lost out on promotion on the final day of the season, finishing a point behind second placed Alloa, with a much-improved Montrose as champions.Pars team: Whyte, Crawford, Lapsley, Forsyth, Dall, Donnelly, Perry, McCathie, Morrison, Jenkins, Tait. Subs: Forrest, Stewart.

​On the week this game was played, the number 1 song in the UK singles chart was "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel.The number 1 album was by Culture Club, with "Colour By Numbers".

Nicky Clark tries to motivate his team mates after Farid El Alagui's goal.

The first quarter of Championship fixtures was completed today and after failing to add to their points tally, the Pars have now played every team once, and have gained just 7 points from the 9 games played. The much-anticipated derby against Falkirk saw a travelling support of over 1400 fill the away stand, only to be badly let down by the team over the 90 minutes that followed. Two changes were made from the starting 11 from last week's game in the Challenge Cup: Joe Cardle was injured and replaced by Kallum Higginbotham, while Farid El Alagui made his first Pars start, with Gavin Reilly dropping to the bench. Early action was fairly even with both teams intent on attacking. Higginbotham came closest for Dunfermline when his shot was cleared off the line, and for the home side John Baird had a good effort that was well saved by Sean Murdoch. The deficiencies in the Pars team were laid bare in the 26th minute when Falkirk took the lead. A cross field ball from Baird totally evaded the Dunfermline central midfield, and found Craig Sibbald who gave Murdoch no chance. The midfield duo of Andy Geggan and Rhys McCabe were failing to protect the defence, and were also offering nothing in an attacking sense. Injuries to Nat Wedderburn and, especially, John Herron have not helped but options were reduced by sending Lewis Spence on loan, although the jury is out on whether he is the answer. To "have to" select Geggan and McCabe week after week is a sign of poor recruitment over the summer by the manager, and the decision to release Josh Falkingham is being proved wrong time after time, including today.

Lee Ashcroft applauds the Pars fans after the game.

Eight minutes into the second half , Falkirk doubled their lead. Myles Hippolyte was allowed to run with the ball unchallenged - Geggan in particular just stood by and let the Falkirk forward go past him. Hippolyte took full advantage and his powerful shot tore into the net. David Hopkirk came on for McCabe, with Higginbotham moving to central midfield. Both sides had half chances but it was the Pars who scored next. El Alagui took advantage of indecisiveness in the Falkirk defence to score from close range. Gavin Reilly came on for Michael Paton in what was now an attack-minded Pars line-up but on closer examination, a fairly shambolic selection of attackers spread all over the park and no real shape, with Reilly on the right wing and Higginbotham in midfield. Geggan was booked for a bad tempered foul, while at right back, Ryan Williamson was giving various Falkirk attackers time and space to put crosses into the box, forcing Murdoch and the better defenders - Talbot and Ashcroft - to stay alert at all times. The final chance for an equaliser fell to Geggan, who took a wild swipe when the ball fell to him 20 yards out, sending the ball high into the stand.

Pars starting 11 player ratings (subs: Hopkirk 6/10; Reilly 5/10):

All photos by Pars Review.A full match photo gallery will be posted on Sunday.

​Designed by https://www.instagram.com/dunfermlineloyal/ using photo of Nicky Clark by Pars Review.Match report with player ratings and photos will be posted this evening.Full match photo gallery will be posted tomorrow.

Scottish Championship - Saturday 15/10/16 - KO 3.00pm - The Falkirk StadiumOdds (Skybet): Falkirk 5/6; Dunfermline 14/5; Draw 11/4Dunfermline go into tomorrow's derby against Falkirk with only 1 point away from home in the Championship this season, but also on a 3 game unbeaten run in all competitions. The old theory that form counts for nothing in derby games, where the winner on the day can often be who handles the occasion best regardless of recent results, is something for Pars boss Allan Johnston (pictured below) to take heart from. His team have found life in the Championship hard, with several players who were mainstays of the team now struggling, among them Ben Richards-Everton, a virtual ever-present last season but who has now lost his place and had a calamitous game for the Under 20s in midweek. Captain Andy Geggan has also been a disappointment this season, but such are the lack of choices available in central midfield that he will almost certainly retain his place. Falkirk narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership via the play-offs last season, and currently sit in 3rd place in the division. Only a late St Mirren equaliser in Falkirk's most recent League game prevented a fifth straight League victory for the Bairns, a sequence of results that included wins at Raith Rovers and at home to Dundee United. Here is the current Championship table:

A win over our biggest rivals would be an ideal way to end the opening round of fixtures in this season's League campaign. The Pars are too close to the relegation place (and play-off position) for comfort and while the manager continually states that the squad is strong enough to still mount a challenge to the top 4, results have not yet backed this up. The game at Falkirk will be another test for the resolve, ability and character of the Pars team, and much will depend on how players such as Joe Cardle (pictured below) perform. This game is a stage that Cardle should thrive in - an ideal platform for him to show what he can do, when on form.

The Dunfermline team line-up will probably not vary much from last week's starting 11 against Queen's Park in the Challenge Cup. Johnston prefers continuity in selection, but even he will be forced to review Gavin Reilly's position in the team, and that could be the only change - Reilly dropping to the subs bench and Farid El Alagui being given his first start of the season. I would also bring Kallum Higginbotham back into the starting line-up but Johnston may prefer Rhys McCabe. John Herron is still injured but the rest of the squad are available, with all other injuries seemingly cleared up. ​Preferred Pars line-up, with squad numbers:

​Photos by Pars Review.Tomorrow: Game Day image and full match report/opinion, photos and Pars player ratings.

Our top scorer this season is a player who hasn't netted since the Betfred Cup group stage and is currently playing as a defensive midfielder and struggling for form. Team captain Andy Geggan led Dunfermline to the League 1 title last season and, had it not been for the phenomenal season enjoyed by Faissal El Bakhtaoui, would have been a favourite for many player of the year awards within the club. He began this season in an attacking midfield role in the opening competitive fixtures in the Betfred Cup, scoring 4 goals. Playing in the middle of 3 attacking midfielders in a 4-1-3-2 formation, Geggan was free to push forward with the insurance of having Nat Wedderburn as a defensive midfielder playing in front of the back 4. ​Wedderburn's absence through injury since those early season games has caused Geggan to revert back to a less attacking role, and - not helped by poor displays from some of his team mates - he has failed to reach the performance levels that he showed last season, which included games in cup competitions against Premiership teams. A flurry of bookings in August and September indicated that he was frustrated and off the pace in most games, often covering too much ground, and having little positive influence on games.Following Wedderburn's injury, instead of being the middle of 3 mainly attacking midfielders, Geggan found himself part of a midfield pairing, usually with Rhys McCabe. Geggan flourished in a similar system last season, playing beside Josh Falkingham. Unfortunately, the same formula hasn't succeeded with McCabe.There were encouraging signs, however, in the recent game against St Mirren. John Herron made his first start for the club, playing alongside Geggan in central midfield. The 2 players combined well and although Herron was injured the following week at Ayr, it can only be hoped that his return to the team will see Geggan regaining his best form once again.

Join the Moff as he travels through time and space in the PARDIS, journeying through different dimensions and strange lands such as Cowdenbeath and Airdrie.

18 November 2000, Scottish Premier League:Dunfermline 0, Rangers 0Today, the PARDIS has taken the Moff back to 2000 and a Premier League match at East End Park.This was the 17th League match of the season, and Dunfermline were adjusting to life back in the top division after winning promotion the previous season. The Pars had won 4, drawn 4 and lost 8 of their League games so far that season. Rangers were the reigning Premier League champions, having won the title in the past 2 seasons.

A crowd of 11,431 inside East End Park had to wait an extra 15 minutes on the game starting, with the delay caused by an electrical failure.The game was eventful despite ending goalless. Jason Dair tested Rangers keeper Stefan Klos with a 25 yard shot that Klos did well to turn round the post. Jorg Albertz then fired a trademark long range effort for Rangers that Marco Ruitenbeek in the Pars goal fisted away.Dunfermline had a great chance to win the game with 10 minutes remaining when Stevie Crawford's defence-splitting pass sent David Moss clear. Unfortunately, Moss sent a weak attempt at a chip wide of the post.The game saw Moroccan defender/madman Youssef Rossi (pictured below) make his Pars first team debut. He was booked in the 18th minute but had a very impressive game. The previous week, Rossi had been sent off in his first game for the Under 21 Pars team following his recovery from injury which delayed the start of his Dunfermline career. The week after this game against Rangers, he was red carded in a game against Dundee United, which set in place a pattern that was to continue, where he would have a great game one week and then follow it up with a completely indisciplined display in the next game. The following year Rossi failed to appear for training and effectively went missing despite the club's efforts to contact him. He emerged months later, training with Southampton while still under contract with Dunfermline. After failing to win a move to England, he returned to Dunfermline for a few months, which included one more red card, and then left for good in December 2003, following another few months going AWOL. He made just 25 appearances for the Pars due to injuries, indiscipline and periods when no-one knew where he was.

On the week this game was played, the number 1 song in the UK singles chart was "Same Old Brand New You" by A1.The number 1 album was by Westlife, with "Coast To Coast". This album was one of 7 albums by the Irish boyband to reach number 1 in the opening decade of the 21st century, the most for any artist/band in the UK album charts during that period.

Dunfermline suffered their biggest defeat in this season's SPFL Development League against Motherwell at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium on Monday evening. Despite fielding a side that included 5 overage players, John Potter's team were well beaten in the second half, mainly due to avoidable errors, with some of the senior players being most culpable.David Hutton replaced the injured Cammy Gill in goal. Reece Duncan and Conner Duthie continued at full-back while in central defence, Callum Fordyce lined up alongside Ben Richards-Everton - the same defensive pair (plus Hutton in goals) that played against Hibs at Easter Road last month in the Championship. In midfield, Nat Wedderburn and Evan Horne were in the middle, with Scott Lochhead and Brandon Luke playing wide. Callum Smith and David Hopkirk were up front. The first half was fairly even without being a great game to watch. There was an unusual lack of cohesion in the Pars team and any attempts at goal were off target. Motherwell did manage to force one great save from Hutton, when he made a diving save to a net-bound shot.The second half belonged to Motherwell but they were aided a some poor defending from Dunfermline. The first goal came in the 51st minute when Richards-Everton blatantly shoved a Motherwell player in the back in the penalty area. Hutton saved the resulting spot-kick but unluckily saw the ball spin up in the air to the kicker, Mackin, who headed it into an empty net. Mackin doubled Motherwell's lead 5 minutes later when he was in the right place to take advantage of a pass hitting Conner Duthie on the back. When the ball fell to him, the Motherwell striker rifled the ball past Hutton from 20 yards.Richards-Everton's night was not getting any better and he was left floundering on the ground when attempting, and failing, to win the ball back from a Motherwell forward, eventually losing his balance and ending up on his knees. Meanwhile, Nat Wedderburn showed frustration by lashing the ball hard into the stand, when he would have been better advised to channel some of that aggression into his own performance.Motherwell's third goal came in the 73rd minute after Wedderburn clumsily lost possession in midfield. The ball was played to Hastie, who gave Hutton no chance.The introduction of Johnny Galloway added some much-needed drive to the Pars midfield but this could not prevent Motherwell making it 4-0 in the 83rd minute, when Mackin got the final goal of his hat-trick, with minimal resistance from the Dunfermline central defence.Pars starting line up below.